For safety reasons, it will be necessary to prohibit Heavy Goods Vehicles bound directly for Eurotunnel at Folkestone or for the Port of Dover from using the outside (i.e. right-hand) lane of the dual carriageways on the sections of roads defined below, with immediate effect.
The roads involved are as follows
- A249 SITTINGBOURNE ROAD / DETLING HILL / SITTINGBOURNE ROAD – on the northbound carriageway for the entire length from Newnham Court Roundabout, Boxley (M20 Junction 7) continuing north-eastwards to Stockbury Roundabout, Stockbury (M2 Junction 5)
- A299 THANET WAY / CANTERBURY ROAD WEST – on the coastbound (eastbound) carriageway for the entire length from Brenley Corner, Boughton under Blean (M2 Junction 7) continuing eastwards through to Minster Roundabout (Mount Pleasant), Minster, Ramsgate
- A299 HENGIST WAY / A256 RICHBOROUGH WAY / RAMSGATE ROAD / SANDWICH BYPASS – on the eastbound / southbound carriageway from Cliffsend Roundabout, Ramsgate continuing through to the roundabout junction with Monks Way, Sandwich
- A256 WHITFIELD BYPASS – on the southbound (Dover-bound) carriageway for the entire length from ‘Eastry Roundabout’, Eastry (junction with Dover Road / Cater Road) continuing through to the Whitfield Interchange junction with A2 Trunk Road
These restrictions do not apply at roundabouts, to enable large vehicles to use both lanes to negotiate roundabouts, if needed.
This restrictions are to avoid likelihood of danger resulting from congestion on the local road network whilst the former Manston Airport site is being used to accommodate port-bound HGVs.
The 24-hour Clearway Order which currently applies to the southbound carriageway of the A256 between Eastry and Whitfield will be suspended for the duration of this Order, when the relevant signs are covered or removed.
The terms “Heavy Commercial Vehicles” (HCVs) and “Heavy Goods Vehicles” (HGVs) both refer to any goods vehicles which have an operating weight exceeding 7.5 tonnes.
This comes into force with immediate effect and remains in force until otherwise notified, for a maximum duration of up to 18 months.
When in force, these restrictions will be clearly indicated by specific signage displayed on site.
The Kent County Council Highway Helpline phone number is 03000 418181
